4 Tips To Help Keep Your Home More Secure in Chicago

• April 20, 2017
• by Carlos Lopez

Homeowners should take the security of their home seriously. According to the FBI, there is a burglary in the United States every 15 seconds, with an average of $1,725 worth of stolen property. Most people, whose homes have been burglarized, thought they had done enough to avoid becoming a victim.

What many homeowners underestimate is that most homes are actually quite easy to get into when you’re a burglar, and not worried about damaging property. We help Chicago residents improve their home security by providing consultations of what you’re currently doing and not doing. This includes everything from the door and gate locks you choose, the windows you install and even the garage door opener that you use.

While some of these tips below seem standard, time and time again homeowners realize the benefits of them only after it’s too late. To be proactive with your home’s security consider these five relatively easy measures to take.

1. Install Alarm System

Burglars don’t like to be noticed when they are breaking into a home, and some are sophisticated in deploying stealthy actions to avoid detection. This works well for them when homes are not armed with alarm systems. Alarms are a great deterrent because they not only let would-be home invaders know it won’t go unnoticed, they also draw attention to what is going on within the home when activated. It’s even better if your alarm system is programmed to contact local authorities once it goes off. By installing an alarm system, and advertising on all or most of you windows, your front door, or even your yard that you have one, you’re already sending a signal to them that your home is probably not the one to break into today.

2. Do Not Broadcast Empty Home Online

Sometimes it’s not about what you’re not doing, but more so, what you are doing that’s making conditions ripe for potential home invasion. Right now on your Facebook feed you probably have a friend who is sharing pictures of their vacation while they are still enjoying it. They’re basically advertising the fact that their home is potentially sitting empty. We know it’s fun to share where you’re going and what you’re doing, but do this when you’re back in your home. Also, don’t think that just because you only have 45 Facebook friends who you personally know, that your updates cannot be accessed by outsiders. Internet crimes are a real thing. Check your security settings and save you celebratory shoutouts From Europe till after your vacation has ended.

3. Let Light Be Your Friend

Having ample outdoor lighting isn’t something many people think about, as far as being a good deterrent for home breakins. Without exterior lighting thieves can maneuver around your home and avoid being noticed by your neighbors and even people walking by. Make sure that all potential entrances to your home have ample lighting – not just the front door. Though many homeowners choose to go with motion-sensor lights, the sensor can be easily covered. Consider just leaving a light on during hours of darkness.

Also, the vast majority of break-ins occur when the homeowner is not present, so it makes sense to also leave at least one light on indoors as well, so it’s more challenging for them to decipher whether or not you are in the home.

4. Invest In Quality Doors And Locks

Locking a door is the most common security measure people take, but if your door is cheap you’re taking an unnecessary security risk. If it can be easily picked or broken, then it’s not worth the money you pay for it, no matter how inexpensive. If you can, install solid or heavy-duty doors, as this will make your door more challenging to break down. Additionally, the strike plate should be heavy-duty and tightly secured to wall with no looseness. While you’re investing in a good door add high-quality locks as well. You wouldn’t put old, worn-out tires on a $90K sports car so don’t add shoddy locks to good doors. Deadbolt locks provide the best home security for residential doors. Because these locks do not contain springs thieves have to have decent lock-picking knowledge to successfully open them, and most will just forego if it seems too difficult.

For a professional home security consultation to begin a discussion about a ideal alarm system, outdoor lighting, and best locks for your residence, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with our home security experts.

 

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